Everyday People

About two years ago, one Nigerian government official whom I know visited the United Kingdom. 

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It was that peak period of covid crisis, where many countries had various Covid containment regulations to help reduce the spread. 

On the day he was to return to Nigeria, I was one of those who escorted him to the Airport. 

When we got to the Airport, we realised that he was supposed to have a Covid test done, and the result uploaded to Nigerian Govt Portal.

Also, he was meant to have a day three test in Nigeria booked and have the printed copy of the confirmation of the booking with him as a condition to fly with British Airways to Nigeria. 

We arrived at the Airport about 3hrs before his flight departure. This white lady, who was a supervisor with British Airways approached us and requested to see his day three booking confirmation. We didn’t have it.

We started making efforts to book the test right there, Omoh, this thing wasn’t booking ooh. Eventually, we were able to book it. That wasn’t the end of the drama, we waited to receive the confirmation, for where, confirmation no gree come due to network wahala.

Like play like joke, 2hrs was gone. We pleaded with the white lady to let him check in, so he doesn’t miss his flight, she I'm afraid, I she can’t, as this was a requirement to fly to Nigeria.

When it was obvious this lady won’t let him check in, he brought out his phone and called a very top govt official. I don’t want to mention the name. The top govt official requested to speak to the lady to let him fly. The white lady asked who was the person on the phone, we told her who the person was, she said Nope! I’m not speaking to him. 

She said, it was the same Nigerian Govt who made this rules and asked us to follow. He called another top member of NCDC. Omoh, the white lady refused to budge. 

This time, it was getting clearer that he wasn’t gonna fly with this airline, he started fuming, angry and boiling at the Airport. We wanted to use intimidation ( do you know who I am kind of intimidation), oboy, kolewerk. 

We dey there dey brag requesting to speak to her manager until the plane took off without him.

Whilst we were on our way back to the hotel, nobody spoke to anybody for few minutes, because NEPA tension was high in us.

About 30mins into our journey back to the hotel, govt official don calm down this time. His next comment was fascinating to me. He said, this is how every country should be strict with rules, law & order. I wish Nigeria can be like this and everything go work fine. 

He added, even though I was really mad that I couldn’t fly, I have now come to understand why things are working here. This people don’t bend rules for anyone oh. We started rehearsing the drama at the airport together and we laughed so hard. This is a lesson I will take to Nigeria, he said. 

I said to him, I’m happy you saw the positive side of the all dramas and the disappointment. 

Conclusion: A working Nigeria is the responsibility of every Nigerian. But, In Nigeria everyone wants a great Nation like the UK, the US & Canada, but no one wants to follow the rules. We no wan well……

"Very nicely written, With A Lot Of Lessons To Learn.'👌 

Source: WhatsApp